Vibratory separator screens

Abstract

A screen assembly for a vibratory separator has been invented, the screen assembly, in certain aspects, having a panel with two connected pairs of spaced-apart sides including a first pair of spaced-apart side separated by a second pair of spaced-apart sides, a plurality of spaced-apart strips extending between the first pair of spaced-apart sides, each adjacent pair of the plurality of spaced-apart strips defining a space therebetween through the panel, a first mesh bonded to the spaced-apart strips, and a second mesh bonded to the backup mesh. In one aspect a third mesh is bonded to the second mesh. In one aspect the strips are formed from a panel piece by cutting material therefrom with a laser.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A screen assembly for a vibratory separator, the screen assembly comprising a panel with two connected pairs of spaced-apart sides including a first pair of spaced-apart side separated by a second pair of spaced-apart sides,   a plurality of spaced-apart strips extending between the first pair of spaced-apart sides, each adjacent pair of the plurality of spaced-apart strips defining a space therebetween through the panel, each strip of the plurality of spaced-apart strips having a length and independent of and not connected to the other strips along its length,   a first mesh bonded to the spaced-apart strips, and   a second mesh bonded to the first mesh.   
     
     
       2. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the first mesh is a backup mesh ranging between 2 mesh and 30 mesh. 
     
     
       3. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the second mesh is a fine mesh ranging between 14 mesh and 500 mesh. 
     
     
       4. The screen assembly of claim 3 wherein the first mesh is 12 mesh and the second mesh is 180 mesh. 
     
     
       5. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the panel and its sides and strips are made of material from the group consisting of iron, steel, stainless steel, zinc, zinc alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, plastic, polytetrafluoroethylene, fiberglass, cermet and composite. 
     
     
       6. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the strips are formed by cutting out the spaces therebetween with a laser. 
     
     
       7. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the strips range in width between about 0.10 inches and about 3.00 inches. 
     
     
       8. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the strips are about 0.22 inches wide. 
     
     
       9. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the strips are spaced-apart between about 0.2 inches to about 4.00 inches. 
     
     
       10. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the strips are about 1.3 inches apart. 
     
     
       11. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the panel, sides and strips are made of 14 gauge cold rolled steel. 
     
     
       12. The screen assembly of claim 1 further comprising a third mesh on top of the second mesh.   
     
     
       13. The screen assembly of claim 12 wherein the third mesh ranges between 100 mesh and 300 mesh. 
     
     
       14. The screen assembly of claim 12 wherein the third mesh is bonded to the second mesh. 
     
     
       15. The screen assembly of claim 11 wherein the first mesh is made of wire of a first diameter and the second mesh is made of wire of a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. 
     
     
       16. The screen assembly of claim 12 wherein the first mesh is made of wire of a first diameter and the second mesh is made of wire of a second diameter smaller than the first diameter and the third mesh is made of wire of a third diameter smaller than the second diameter. 
     
     
       17. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the strips are separate pieces secured to and between the first pair of spaced-apart sides. 
     
     
       18. The screen assembly of claim 1 wherein the strips have at least a portion thereof curved as viewed from above. 
     
     
       19. A screen assembly for a vibratory separator, the screen assembly comprising a panel with two connected pairs of spaced-apart sides including a first pair of spaced-apart side separated by a second pair of spaced-apart sides,   a plurality of spaced-apart strips extending between the first pair of spaced-apart sides, each adjacent pair of the plurality of spaced-apart strips defining a space therebetween through the panel, each strip of the plurality of spaced-apart strips having a length and independent of and not connected to the other strips along its length,   a first mesh bonded to the spaced-apart strips,   a second mesh bonded to the backup mesh,   wherein the first mesh is a backup mesh ranging between 2 mesh and 30 mesh,   wherein the second mesh is a fine mesh ranging between 14 mesh and 500 mesh,   wherein the panel and its sides and strips are made of material from the group consisting of iron, steel, stainless steel, zinc, zinc alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, plastic, polytetrafluoroethylene, fiberglass, cermet and composite,   wherein the strips range in width between about 0.10 inches and about 3.00 inches,   wherein the strips are spaced-apart between about 0.2 inches to about 4.00 inches, and   wherein the first mesh is made of wire of a first diameter and the second mesh is made of wire of a second diameter smaller than the first diameter.